Remember when the Badgers were going to lose to Illinois again? Pepperidge Farm remembers. In fact, some might say it was #karma.
Instant Karma's gonna get you. Knock you right in the head.
Meanwhile, the Packers need to figure some things out.
They could start with playing better. And maybe coaching better. Two problems that are often related.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Michigan State Sparty the Spartan (+7) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat I've been very critical of PJ in the past, and used the he can't beat Iowa stat. Well, it turns out that he proved me wrong on that point. In the interest of full disclosure, the Badger game last week got all of my attention, and didn't see a second of the Gophers. After looking at the highlights, the punt return call was the right call. Instead of complaining about a rule that has been on the books for a while, Iowa could instead blame the offense for not doing anything in the second half and failed to win the game. Somehow, Sparty's football scandal is not nearly as bad as what is happening in Ann Arbor, but we will talk later as more and more of that story comes out. Look, the Gophers should win against the Spartans, especially since the momentum of getting the Iowa monkey off their back will make for a fired up crowd at the Bank. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 42, Mel Tucker Fumbled The Bag 0.
Sparty is, ya know, kinda terrible? The Gophers aren't as strong this year as in previous years, but they're plenty good enough to win this game. Minnesota 24, Michigan State 3.
A School In Columbus (-14.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers Last week was an incredible 4th quarter performance, and it turns out that the Badgers got their crap together just in the nick of time. Longo calling a tackle eligible pass for the winning touchdown took incredible guts, and props to Locke for getting a win in his first start on the road in Big Ten play, similar to Hornibrook in 2016 at Spartan Stadium. Look, we all know that Ohio State is arguably the best team in the country and coming off a big win against Penn State last week. Here is the thing, though. The Buckeyes have been slow starters, and dodged bullets against Maryland, Notre Dame, and Penn State by having their high end talent bail them out in the second half. The weather in Madison is going to be cold, and Fickell also isn't scared of the Buckeyes given that he knows how they operate in a way that few coaches do in the Big Ten. This won't be easy, I'll readily admit that. But the thing is, Buckeye fans are so mad about Michigan that they are forgetting that this is one of their toughest games all year, and the Curse of the Six Game Minimum is still intact. How about Fickell getting a signature win? You heard it here first. Badgers 24, Buckeyes 17.
I'd love to agree with you. But the Badgers aren't ready for this. Check back in a few years. Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 17.
Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Serious question, did the Packers actually prepare for Denver at all? It was the same mistakes over and over, and honestly LaFleur is falling into the same traps that Sherman fell into in 2005. You are lucky that I had another special thing I wanted to do, because the Packers have learned nothing this year. Meanwhile, the Vikings beat the Niners in a performance that deserved a win, and they are coming into Lambeau in a good position to try and calm down the angry Vikings fans who light up the KFAN phone lines. What the Packers need to do is figure out how to start better, and actually have a defense that looks good. I get that you can't blame the defensive coaches when they are dealing with a bunch of injuries. But have you tried anything different? The good news is that the Packers should be due for a win. If not, I'm going to have to go deep, and you don't want me to do that. Packers 35, Vikings 21.
The Packers are, ya know, not very good right now. And they have injuries galore. Vikings aren't great, either, but I don't see a lot of evidence that the Packers are good enough to win at this moment. So I have to pick it as follows: Vikings 27, Packers 17.
And now, it's time to laugh at Illinois and Bert. Those that are not Badger fans might be wondering why what happened last week made us feel so glad about this. They may be asking themselves why Badger fans hate Bert given the success he had. It's true, Bert had a lot of success in Madison. I don't have a problem with Bert leaving. What I do have a problem with is him calling out fans on Twitter who are mad at him, leaving 3 days after winning a Big Ten title, saying that the program can't win compared to Arkansas, and having his wife tweet #karma after the 2013 debacle against Arizona State. Here is the funny thing. Wisconsin has won a lot more than he has since he left, and came a heck of a lot closer to playing for a national championship compared to his time coaching at Arkansas. By the way, how is it easier to win games when you spent time in the very strong SEC West circa 2014 compared to Wisconsin being in the Big Ten West?
He might have been mistaken?
Ya think? God it was great seeing the Badgers win. They played great in the 4th quarter, and ended up looking like what Fickell wants from his offense with a mixture of downfield passing and the trademark power run game. Blaming the refs? How about blaming yourself for burning timeouts, losing your physical edge, and some baffling decisions. It's like the Rose Bowl against TCU all over again. Way to burn bridges, Bert.
He also might want to burn the orange clothes, too.
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| The American Heart Association has him on the watch list for other reasons, too |
Glad you're paying attention to fashion, Old Dude! Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.
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